Your Majesty, your Royal Highness, your Grace, my lords, ladies and gentlemen
I welcome your Majesty, your Royal Highness. To no. 10 downing street on this historic evening. You honour us all by coming here to commemorate the gift of this house by Your Majesty's predecessor, King George II, whose portrait is here in this room.
It was 250 years ago this year—in September 1735—that Sir Robert Walpole came [end p1] to live here. Sir Robert did not accept the king's gift on his own behalf. he did not even accept it as Prime Minister: The term “Prime Minister” was unknown in those days. He accepted it as First Lord of the Treasury, a title which the front door bears to this day.
It is said that his motives were not those of pure altruism. He had been told about the foundations of the house. Like much else in the life of George Downing, [end p2] the original builder, the foundations did not bear close examination. Sir Robert decided that it would be wise to have the resources of the Treasury behind him in maintaining the fabric—a decision for which his successors have every reason to be grateful.
Since that time a further 47 people have had the honour of holding office as the sovereign's Prime Minister and we are very glad that 6 of them are here this evening.
We are also happy that close relatives of a [end p3] further 9 Prime Ministers, are here tonight.
All will have their own memories of this house.
Lady Soames will, I am sure, recall the night when a bomb fell within 50 yards of 10 Downing street—just outside the windows of this room. It was only the sixth sense of Winston Churchill, who had instructed the cook to go to the air raid shelter some three minutes before the bomb dropped, which saved the cook's life and that of others in the kitchens below this room. [end p4]
Legend has it that when Lord Stockton 's grandchildren were staying in this house, a notice in the hall reminded them that roller skating in the corridors was not allowed on the days when the Cabinet was meeting.
Baroness Elliot may recall that it was Margot Asquith who described no. 10 as “This historic house in a quiet cul-de-sac off Whitehall of such diffident architecture that the most ardent tourist would scarcely recognise it again.” [end p5]
This is a house full of memories, public and private, and of the ghosts of great personalities and events. But it is a happy house. And I believe that no Prime Minister enters no. 10 without a consciousness of the tradition which it represents, for it is the heart of our country's executive government.
The Cabinet room really does know every secret—for it is there where your ministers, ma'am have made so many of the decisions which have shaped the future. [end p6]
Over the last 250 years the power and influence of Your Majesty's realm has extended far beyond the vision of Walpole and his sovereign. The British empire, the noblest in history, was gradually transformed into the Commonwealth with Your Majesty as its head and its strongest link.
Each Prime Minister this evening will have his own reminiscences of his time in office and his days in this house. Each will have left something of himself in this famous place. Each is so very grateful to you ma'am for the many kindnesses which you, his Royal [end p7] Highness, the Queen mother and other members of the royal family have shown. Each knows it has been his greatest honour and privilege to serve you, ma'am, our sovereign Queen, whose service to our country is the most devoted and distinguished of all.
[The loyal toast]